PROMOTION POTENTIAL:

DUTY LOCATIONS:

WHO MAY APPLY:

All United States Citizens and Nationals.

JOB SUMMARY:

Reclamation is a contemporary water management agency. Reclamation is best known for Hoover Dam on the Colorado River, Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River and Folsom Dam on the American River. Today we are the largest wholesaler of water in the country and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the western United States. Visit: http://www.usbr.gov View our DVD titled “Traditions, Talent, and Teamwork” at: http://www.usbr.gov/pmts/hr/video/

This is a TERM FULL-TIME position. Initial appointment will be for 2 years but can be extended at management’s discretion up to a total of four years. You will be eligible for Federal Employee’s Health Benefits, Federal Employee’s Group Life Insurance and FICA/Federal Employees Retirement benefits.

The career ladder promotion potential of this position is the GS-11 level. However, this position may be filled at a lower grade. If so, when and if it is determined that a subsequent promotion is warranted, it may be made without further competition. Promotion up to and including the GS-11 level is neither guaranteed nor automatic.

Reclamation is seeking a professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as a cultural resources specialist in support of the Columbia/Snake Salmon Recovery Office projects. This position functions as an Archeologist for the Lands Resources Group of Resource and Technical Services. You can make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment.

Here is a great opportunity to join a great organization with excellent growth potential!

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

For the GS-09 level, one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in Federal service or a master’s or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B. or J.D., if directly related.

Examples of qualifying specialized experience for the GS-9 level: practical experience with archeological theories, methods, and techniques to apply to less complex cultural, water, and land resources projects requiring more technical oversight and supervisory assistance.

For the GS-11 level, one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in Federal service or 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or LL.M., if directly related.

If qualifying with education, you will be required to provide official college transcripts to verify your educational qualifications. An official transcript bears the University Seal and a signature certifying its authenticity and must be provided from the institution awarding the degree. Academic transcripts certified by notary publics are NOT official. Official transcripts must be submitted prior to reporting to work as a condition of employment. Failure to submit official transcripts may be grounds for dismissal or rescission of the job offer.

Basic Education Requirement:

A. 1. Degree: that included 3 semester hours each in the following course areas:

History of archeology.

Archeology of a major geographical area such as North America or Africa.

Regional archeology, archeological cultures, or sites in a specific part or portion of a major geographical area to acquire or develop a foundation for regional specialization for professional development.

Archeological field school, to provide a basic understanding of theoretical and practical approaches to research design implementation, field preservation techniques, and report preparation by participation in actual field work.

2. Related Curriculum-- Degree in anthropology (with emphasis on ethnology, physical anthropology, or scientific linguistics), history, American studies, or a related discipline may be accepted as satisfying in full the educational requirements, provided the curriculum supplied academic course work sufficiently similar to the requirements in A.1 (including archeological field school).

OR

B. Combination of education and experience-- College-level education or training that provided knowledge equivalent to that described in A above, plus appropriate technical experience or additional education. OR

C. Experience-- four years of archeological work experience that demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles and theories of professional archeology. The work experience must have included archeology field experience, which may include that gained in an archeological field school. Field experience should have included a combination of professional experience in archeological survey, excavation, laboratory analysis, and preparation of written materials. Applicants with such field experience should, after additional experience under the direction of a higher grade archeologist, be able to demonstrate the ability to be a crew chief, directing the work of others at a single location as a part of a larger archeological project.

Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, applicants must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs.

You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Category rating and selection procedures will be used to evaluate applications from this announcement. If you meet the basic qualification requirements, your on-line responses to the vacancy assessment questionnaire will be used to determine the quality and extent of your experience, education, training, etc., for placement in one of the following categories: 1) Best Qualified, 2) Well Qualified, and 3) Qualified. Qualified candidates will be assigned a numerical score on a scale of 70-100 and veterans with preference will be placed at the top of their respective category. The assessment questionnaire will take you approximately 45 minutes to complete.

Applicants will be further evaluated on the following “Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)” through your resume and responses to the online questions.

2. Knowledge of various federal laws including the identification and management of historic properties; treatment of human remains; management of museum property collections; and federal procurement regulations and processes.

3. Ability to communicate in person and in writing to ensure compliance with applicable cultural resource laws and regulations and to prepare technical reports.

Applicant's answers to questions will be verified against information provided in their online resume. Be sure that the resume clearly supports the responses to all the questions by addressing experience, education, and/or training relevant to this position. Applicants must make a fair and accurate assessment of their qualifications. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is apparent in your description of experience, competencies, skills, and/or education/training OR that your resume/application is incomplete, you may be rated ineligible or your score may be lowered.

BENEFITS:

Working for the Bureau of Reclamation offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. To explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees, visit: http://www.opm.gov/insure/fastfacts/quickguide.pdf

OTHER INFORMATION:

You must serve a 1-year trial period.

Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Go to: http://www.sss.gov

The Bureau of Reclamation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Selection for positions is made solely on the basis of merit, fitness and qualifications without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factors.

The referral list from this public notice may be used to fill subsequent positions (similar title, series and grade, location, and KSA requirements) within 180 days of the date the referral list was issued.

Related non-federal experience or related experience as retired members of the uniformed services may be credited towards computing entitlement to leave accrual, at managerial discretion, providing that experience meets certain criteria. This provision allows new employees to earn annual leave at a higher rate than would otherwise be allowed. (5 Code of Federal Regulations, 630).

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications (resume and assessment questionnaire) for this vacancy MUST be received online BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (Washington, DC time) on the closing date of this announcement. When you’re ready to apply, click the blue APPLY ONLINE button on the right side of any page.

This vacancy is being announced through Bureau of Reclamation’s Hiring System—HireMe. For more information about the HireMe system and the registration process, visit: http://www.usbr.gov/pmts/hr/hireme.html

As part of the on-line application process, applicants may be required to submit supporting documents. Failure to submit the requested supporting documents may result in your not being considered for this position. Options for submitting supporting documentation include:

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us at the phone number shown at the bottom of this page. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

PRIVACY ACT REQUIREMENTS (PL 93 579): The application forms prescribed are used to determine qualifications for employment or promotion, and are authorized under Title 5, United States Code, Section 3302 and 3361.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

To be considered for this position, applicants are required to submit a resume (with dates of employment, i.e. years and months), an on-line assessment questionnaire, and the following Supporting Documents (by the closing date of the announcement), as appropriate:

Transcripts: Applicants MUST furnish a copy of your college transcripts, if qualifying with education . If selected, you will be required to provide official college transcripts to verify your educational qualifications prior to reporting for work.

DD-214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty: If you are entitled to veterans’ preference, submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member 4 Copy), or an official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty, or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions. If you have a compensable service connected disability, submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and the required documentation requested by this form, in addition to the DD-214,

CTAP/ICTAP: CTAP/ICTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including selective factors, education and experience requirements) and score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire as established, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP/ICTAP, http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp

Declaration of Federal Employment, OF-306: You will be required to complete an (OF-306), http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of0306.pdf prior to being appointed to determine your suitability for federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. Failure to answer all questions truthfully and completely or providing false statements on the application may be grounds for not hiring you or for dismissing you after you begin work, and may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (U.S. Code, Title 18, section 1001).

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

After all application packages have been received, resumes and transcripts will be reviewed to ensure applicants meet the basic qualification requirements. Each applicant who meets the basic qualifications will be further evaluated on the information provided in the Assessment Questionnaire. Best-qualified applicants will be referred to the selecting official. After making a tentative job offer, a suitability and/or security background investigation will be conducted. A final job offer is typically made within 40 days after the deadline for applications. Applicants should monitor their status for positions with the Bureau of Reclamation by regularly checking their public status notifications in the USAJOBS profile.

*NOTE* If you are determined to be in the Best Qualified group, you will be required to submit written, essay-style responses to additional assessment questions as a continuation of the evaluation process. These will be emailed to your email address registered with USAJOBS soon after the closing date of this announcement. Failure to respond to the additional assessment questions will result in loss of further consideration for this position.